Rinsai - Hens

Rinsai Shiba

Hens, from the series: Bird and Flower Contest. Rinsai dedicated his woodblock designs to the natural world. He is most well-known for his kacho-e, or bird and flower pictures.

A rare Rinsai crepe paper print, Chirimen gami-e (縮緬紙), also known as “crepon”. Van  Gogh had 17 crepe prints in his ukiyo-e collection. This Meji-era technique involves using a type of crepe paper, to create beautiful textured prints. Woodblock prints were made at actual Oban size on the crepe paper, and then through an involved process of compression and dampening, the print shrinks in size, greatly concentrating the details and colors. These prints are all backed - which is good, since the paper material by itself is similar to a thin fabric and easily warped.

Genre: Ukiyo-e, Chirmengami-e

Size: 15.5cm x 21.5cm

Date: 1880’s

Condition: Good condition, backed, insect damage as shown.

https://www.viewingjapaneseprints.net/texts/topics_faq/faq_chirimen.html

https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/crepe-paper